Cactus Communications Supports Japanese Student Researchers at ISEF 2025 for the Third Consecutive Year

Cactus Communications, renowned for its leadership in scientific communication and technology, is proud to announce that, for the third consecutive year, it has provided significant support to Japanese high school students representing Japan at the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) 2025.

Held in Columbus, Ohio from May 10 to May 16, 2025, ISEF is one of the world's largest pre-college science competitions, attracting around 1,800 high school students from approximately 80 countries. This year, Cactus, as a corporate member of the non-profit organization, Japan Science Service (NSS), offered invaluable assistance to 12 student teams from Japan, focusing on enhancing their English-language skills for their presentations.

The support included comprehensive proofreading of research proposals and speech scripts, practice sessions for presentations, and even the provision of reading assistance audio for speech practice. Additionally, Cactus supplied the AI-powered English proofreading tool, Paperpal, free of charge to aid in the preparation of official English documents necessary for the presentation process.

As a testament to their hard work and preparation, students from Japan achieved commendable results, securing Third Place in the Environmental Engineering category and Fourth Place in the Physics and Astronomy category. These achievements reflect the dedication and effort of both the students and the supporting team at Cactus. Cactus continues to commit to nurturing the next generation of researchers by empowering them through ongoing support for scientific endeavors.

The impact of English-language support cannot be underestimated, especially for students who are taking on the daunting task of presenting their research in a foreign language. Professor Tetsuya Muramoto, an associate professor at Toho University and a representative from NSS, commented on the importance of this assistance: “The high school students participating in ISEF are tackling the significant challenge of conveying their research in English. The English support provided is an incredibly reassuring presence. The ability to communicate the significance of their research across language barriers is crucial for future scientific talents. Through the preparation for their presentations, they developed logical structuring skills and gained international perspectives.”

Feedback from participating students further reinforces the value of this program. Many noted the challenges they faced with the English language. For instance, one student expressed gratitude for how Cactus helped clarify their concerns about English pronunciation, stating, “I found it extremely helpful, given that I had many worries about my English.” Another mentioned how conducive the feedback was, saying, “They explained the differences in pronunciation for various words, making it easy to understand.” There were also acknowledgments of how the guidance helped correct misconceptions: “The advice regarding pronunciation corrections, as well as insights into delivery, intonation, and pacing, provided perspectives that only a third party could offer.”

The Japan Science Service (NSS) is an NPO primarily composed of university and graduate students who have experience in science fairs and research contests. This dedicated group, well-versed in the joys of scientific research, aims to support younger students—from elementary to high school—by sharing their research experiences and aiming to foster a broader interest in scientific inquiry. Older professionals within the organization provide further support, focusing on developing young researchers as part of their mission to establish a “research-loving collective.”

Cactus Communications, founded in 2002, continues to pioneer holistic solutions in scientific communication and technology. The company has evolved significantly, with a focus on providing researchers and scientists with expert services that span from funding support to scholarly publishing. Its primary brand, Editage, serves as a key player in the arena of academic publishing, helping over 300,000 researchers from diverse fields publish their research papers in prestigious journals.

With a commitment to innovation, Cactus has also introduced Paperpal, an AI-driven tool designed to aid researchers in crafting high-quality English-language papers. By leveraging advanced AI technology and decades of editorial expertise, Paperpal offers real-time, contextually appropriate suggestions to enhance the clarity and impact of research documentation.

As Cactus Communications supports young scientists in their journey, it strives to contribute significantly to the future of scientific advancement, fostering talent and innovation for generations to come.